KU Affairs

Students at Masdar Institute Celebrate Cultural Diversity on International Day

September 21, 2018

Diverse Groups Representing Over 30 Nationalities Sway to Traditional Tunes to Mark International Day at Sustainable Campus

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 28 February, 2013 – Color, pageantry and traditional entertainment showcased the strength of diversity on the third annual ‘International Day’ at Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies.

Hosted by the Student Affairs Office (SAO) and organized entirely by the students on 26 February, the International Day was an occasion for students, faculty and staff to become part of an afternoon that brought forth the rich cultural diversity of the sustainable campus. The Wind Tower area was abuzz with a burst of entertainment as eight diverse dance groups representing regions including the US, Africa, the Indian Sub-continent and the UAE swayed to the tunes of traditional and modern music.

From the UAE’s Ayyalah to the African drums and the Syrian Arada, Palestinian and Jordanian Dabke, as well as music and dance from South Asia, every form of traditional rhythm was presented with enthusiastic participation from students.

Sumptuous cuisine from various countries was on offer for food-lovers as stalls became a bee-hive of activity. Faculty and students tested their abilities in traditional Emirati rope-making and basket-weaving techniques at the UAE stall while food was served with the customary touch of hospitality. Answers to randomly selected questions brought prizes to visitors at the Ireland stall while country stalls representing the Americas, Continental Europe, Africa and Asia offered interesting information on ancient sites and places of interest to tourism.

Fazil Abdul Rahiman, President of the Student Government Association (SGA), said: “Traditional attire, stalls decked in rich colors and the cuisine reflected the diverse ambience of the campus on the third annual International Day. Though it was an afternoon that brought out the diversity, it was also an occasion for coming together to celebrate each other’s traditions. Students express their gratitude to the faculty and management of Masdar Institute for the support and encouragement.”
Celebrating diversity and serving as a key pillar of innovation and human capital, Masdar Institute remains fundamental to Masdar’s core objectives of developing Abu Dhabi’s knowledge economy and finding solutions to humanity’s toughest challenges such as climate change.
Established as an on-going collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Masdar Institute integrates theory and practice to incubate a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, working to develop the critical thinkers and leaders of tomorrow.  With its world-class faculty and top-tier students, the Institute is committed to finding solutions to the challenges of clean energy and climate change through education and research.